The 'Sweet Dreams' singer and her rapper husband Jay-Z – who married in a secret ceremony on April 4 2008 - are believed to be expecting their first child together, according to internet reports.

Blog Mediatakeout.com claimed: 'According to our source Beyonce is doing fine and resting (for now), but she's expected to continue working throughout her pregnancy. And we're also told that Jay-Z is extremely happy to be having his first child with Beyonce.'

A spokesperson for the couple has refused to comment on the matter.

Beyonce's publicist Alan Nierob said: "We don't respond to private matter inquiries.'

Last November, it was reported the couple were trying for a baby.

At the time, a source said: "Jay-Z's normally very secretive but he is so excited about the prospect of becoming a dad, he just let slip that they're trying for a baby."

However, around the same time the 28-year-old singer admitted she wanted to focus on being a wife before starting a family.

She said: "It's not time for that yet. But definitely there will be a time. I want to be a great mother, the kind of mother that I have. I want the same bond that I had with my mom and that would be enough for me.

"The security and love I feel being in a relationship, a marriage, it's absolutely incredible. Incredible."

She has also previously admitted that watching her sister Solange give birth put her off the experience.